Tech Whisperers: Inside the Playbooks of the Best Digital Leaders

This week, we are shining a light on Mike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer at Netskope, to unpack the mindset and playbook behind his exceptional ability to “lift as he climbs.” Mike’s not your typical tech exec; he’s a business guy in an IT wrapper, someone who’s as comfortable in the boardroom as he is in the scrum room. From his early days at Schneider Electric to helping Netskope go public, Mike shares hard-earned lessons on balancing transformation with operational excellence, reshaping pressure into performance, and leveraging storytelling as a leadership superpower.Tune in for insights from Mike’s playbook, including:The importance of learning the business in your first 90 daysInstilling ambition and helping people aspire to moreSecuring buy-in for bold ideasHow he approaches his dual role leading Netskope’s strategy office and ITLearning from adversity and staying positiveFeaturing submitted questions from:Annette Clayton, Board Director, OshKosh, Nordson, Flash, NXP Semiconductors, & Duke EnergyAmanda Anderson, Senior Director, Integrated Marketing, Digital & Marketing Ops, NetskopeClint Clark, VP, IT Engineering & Architecture, NetskopeDanyel Bischof-Forsyth, Chief Technology & Information Officer, 7 Brew Coffee, Episode #73 GuestAlan Rankin, Mike’s Long Time Friend

This week, we are shining the light on one of the most intentional and inspiring CIOs in the game, Ken Piddington, Chief Digital, Technology, & Integration Officer at RelaDyne. Ken exemplifies what it means to be a leader who teaches, mentors, and communicates with purpose. Over the years, we’ve collected several of his “Ken-isms,” the short, punchy expressions that encompass his leadership philosophy, strategy, and core beliefs. In this episode, we’ll explore these pillars of his leadership playbook and dig into how he uses teaching in his leadership approach, giving you new insights on how to lead transformational change successfully for your organization as well as your people.Tune in for insights from Ken’s career, including:How to balance business results and team development“Anchor the Why”: Ken’s approach to vision and purposeThe relationship between execution and speedCharacter consistency and being the thermostat instead of the thermometerFeaturing submitted questions from:Mohammed ShareefKath Marston, Executive Director, Technology PartnersAlex Pore, Senior Director, Business Integration, RelaDyneStephen Webster, President, CEO, Founder, SIS Holdings Group

Mindy Simon’s path from a Nebraska farm to her current role as Chief Operating Officer of Aon, where she helms a 22,000-person global operation, is anything but conventional—and that's exactly what makes her story so compelling. Mindy’s a great example of how embracing your roots can empower your future, and in this episode, we are shining a light on why she is the kind of transformational leader everyone wants on their team. We’re unpacking Mindy’s transformational leadership playbook, which is built around a people-first mindset, a sharp focus on measurable outcomes, and a rare calmness under pressure. We’ll also explore how she has successfully led in finance, IT, and operations across multiple industries; how she ties technology to business growth; and what it takes to truly deliver value in a fast-moving, data-rich world. Check out Mindy’s Investor Day talk (Jump to 02:17:25 in the video) Tune in for valuable learnings from Mindy’s career, including:Early startup lessons and transformation at ConAgraTying IT investments to measurable business outcomesHow Aon is embedding AI across the client journeyHow and why Mindy applies a people-first mindset to leadingWhy disrupting yourself is better than being disruptedFeaturing submitted questions from:Steve Zerby, Award-Winning CIO, Advisor, Guest for Episode 17Annie Baymiller, CIO, Owens Corning, Guest for Episode 17Greg Case, Chief Executive Officer, AonAndi Karaboutis, 4x Board Director, 3x CIO, Guest for Episode 68

In this episode we’re shining the light on the leadership superpowers and industry impact of Diane Schwarz, Group CIO of Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable packaging. Diane’s leadership style is a unique blend of calm confidence, strategic clarity, and operational excellence that turns traditional roles inside out. You’ll hear why those around her refer to her not just as a CIO but as a Chief Integration Officer, Chief Inspiration Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, and more.We will unpack how Diane masterfully led the IT integration of two global giants, and we’ll dig into her philosophies on listening deeply, mentoring with intention, and showing up with authenticity and vulnerability.Tune in for insights and wisdom from Diane’s journey, including:The power of clarity and assigning decision-making ownershipHow duct tape can make you a better listenerThe art of reading a room and unlocking team dynamicsHer approach as a Chief Instigation Officer and “going where the water doesn’t flow”Featuring submitted questions from:Nari Thouda, CIO, Johnson Controls Federal SystemsKim Mackenroth, CIO, L3Harris Technologies, Guest for Episode 21Mamatha Chamarthi, Chief Digital Officer for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Angela Yochem, Global CIO, Krispy Kreme, Guest for Episode 2Alice Brauckman, Senior Director IT, Digital Acceleration, Smurfit WestrockSobha Mulukutla, VP IT, Global Products & Supply Chain, Johnson ControlsMarina Bellini, President, MGS & Digital Technologies for Mars, Guest for Episode 39

In this episode of Tech Whisperers, we are joined by two experts who are shaping the future of AI in the enterprise, Dr. Lisa Palmer, CEO of Dr. Lisa AI, and Ashwin Rangan, CEO at DoubleCheck Solutions. Lisa and Ash are sharing a wealth of practical, actionable insights to help us uncover why AI initiatives stall out at the “messy middle” and what leaders can do to reignite progress and start generating real business value. Not only have both Lisa and Ashwin walked in the shoes of a CIO, they are also the authors of new books that will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and conviction in the AI era. Lisa’s book, Show AI, Don’t Tell It: Build Buy‑In with Visual Storytelling, releases on September 30 and is available now for preorder on her website. Ashwin’s book, Governance in the Age of Gen AI: A Director's Handbook on Gen AI, is available now on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.Tune in as we dig deep on AI at the intersection of technology, strategy, and leadership, featuring Lisa’s and Ash’s insights on:The “Speed with Rigor” PrincipleThe power of Right-to-Left thinkingThe key to sustaining momentum with AIThe long-term metrics that matterThe most important questions boards and CEOs should be asking about AI investments

Frank LaQuinta, CIO of Edward Jones, shares insights on future-proofing organizations while enhancing client experiences through technology. Abhi Dhar, CIO of TransUnion, discusses balancing vision and ambition during transformation. Martha Heller, a noted thought leader, delves into the evolving role of CIOs and the ethical implications of AI integration. The conversation encompasses leadership strategies, AI's impact on workforce dynamics, and the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Our CI4CI miniseries continues with guest Katrina Redmond, EVP and CIO of Eaton Corporation. As the world hits a historic inflection point in infrastructure — driven by AI, electrification, and massive investments in data centers and energy — Katrina is playing a pivotal role, helping lead one of the most mission-critical companies into the future.Join us as we explore how Katrina is spearheading Eaton’s digital strategy in this era of rapid innovation, leading with bold strategy, operational excellence, and a refreshingly human approach. Tune in for valuable nuggets from Katrina’s leadership playbook, including:An exploration of her expanded CIO role and Eaton’s evolving AI capabilitiesHow to get results in an age of uncertainty driven by AI advancementsHer “Embrace the Red” philosophy Her leadership team’s “Festivus” culture-building practice Her approach to servant leadership and building a culture of internal mobilityThe power of peer-to-peer leadership and community-buildingFeaturing submitted questions from:Karenann Terrell, 4x CIO, Eaton Board Director, Tech Whisperers Guest - Episode 48Ashish Gupta, CIO of NextEra EnergyCaroline Eberle, Gartner BD ExecutiveAmy Brady, Head of Technology, Operations & Services, KeyBank, Tech Whisperers Guest - Episode 66Mark Macioce, VP & CIO, Masco Corporation, Chair of NEOhioCIOAlison Magyari, VP, Global IT Business, Relationship Management, Eaton

In part 2 of our Critical Infrastructure for Critical Infrastructure (CI4CI) miniseries, we are joined by Mike Adams, a digital executive who is playing a leading role in this once-in-a-generation inflection point.As the Chief Digital Technology Officer at Black & Veatch (BV), Mike has a front row seat to the critical infrastructure transformation being driven by the convergence of AI, data centers, and the energy transition. His career journey has been defined by a combination of fearless leadership and clear, inspiring communication, resulting in a leadership style that rallies teams and inspires decisive action. Join us as we unpack Mike’s playbook to learn:Mike’s guiding principles for high-stakes decision makingHow he developed BV’s digital technology strategyWhy Mike is embracing the physical and digital aspects of new technologyThe defining moment that propelled Mike’s CIO JourneyHow Mike stood out as a leader among his peersFeaturing submitted questions from:Josh Edwards, Global Director of Data Science & Operations, Black & VeatchJoy Johnson, SVP, Office of the CDTO, Black & VeatchPhuong Tram, Retired CIO of Dupont, Chief Digital Advisor, FPTDani Brown, SVP & CIO, Whirlpool Corporation, 3x Board DirectorGreg Lane, CIO, State of DelawareAndi Le, Chief Digital Officer, FMC Corporation

The lightning-fast rise of AI has come with a cost: the need to overhaul America’s power grids, pipelines, and water systems to accommodate its explosive growth. As trillions of dollars pour into this complete overhaul, there are key leaders paving the way. In a special mini-series focusing on “Critical Infrastructure for Critical Infrastructure (CI4CI),” we’re shining the light on a few of the extraordinary tech leaders who are architecting, securing, and scaling the systems that power our nation and economy. Joining us to kick off the series is Afshean Talasaz, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology & Data Officer at Colonial Pipeline Company. Afshean is a visionary and humble leader who tackles the complex and challenging problems others avoid while letting the results speak for themselves. From his perspectives on AI and tech innovation to his insights on problem-solving, communication, and vision, you are guaranteed to walk away with lessons that will help you level up your own Tech Whisperer playbook.Join us as we unpack Afshean’s playbook to learn:The importance of a tight CEO-CIO relationshipHow Afshean developed his ability to anticipate upcoming trendsHow investing in the artistic side of his brain has influenced Afshean’s leadershipHow to manage the risk that comes with high-stakes, visionary decision-makingHow to ensure that every project returns a financial value to the businessWhy digitization is vital to long-term successImportant considerations before layering AI on top of current business processesFeaturing submitted questions from:Bo Rogers, VP for Process Excellence & Strategic Projects at Colonial PipelineDavid Benham, Co-Founder and Chief Product & Technology Officer at ROAM AIJohn Dickson, CISO, Colonial PipelineBuck Wheaton, Director of IT Commercial Product Lines, ONEOK

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”Perhaps no Tech Whisperer embodies that timeless Maya Angelou insight better than 7 Brew CIO Danyel Bischof-Forsyth. She is a master at creating cultures where people feel safe, empowered, and inspired, which means she isn’t just driving digital strategy, she is creating an environment where everyone is invested in driving it, too. Through it all, Danyel leads with authenticity, courage, grace, and kindness, no matter the situation.So grab some coffee, settle in, and get ready to be energized and inspired!Tune in for Danyel’s advice on:Entering the tech industry as a womanNavigating organizational politicsElevating teams in periods of adversityBuilding complex long-term strategies that don’t require constant adjustmentsLeading as both a manager and as a team memberFeaturing submitted questions from:Mike Goodwin, 4x Board Member, 2x CIO, West Point Grad, Army VeteranTom Reiter, IT Executive, Danyel’s Former Hallmark ColleagueDave Caldwell, International CIO, Digital LeaderStephanie Quillen, Chief People Officer, 7 BrewCassie Attlebery, Founder & Principal, Talent Outside the Lines & Former HR DirectorMike Anderson, Chief Digital & Information Officer, NetskopeTiffany Benitez, Head of Data Governance, Compass USA